Combination of Genetic and Humanitarian (Cross-Cultural) Methods for the Identification of Human Genes Involved in the Process of Adaptation to Evolutionary New Environmental Factors

Russian Journal of Genetics • Vol/Iss. 51(4) • Pleiades Publishing. • • Published In • Pages: 397-407 •
By Borinskaya, S. A., Yankovsky, N. K.

Abstract

Researchers used population samples from the ALFRED database and the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), in conjunction with 68 populations from the Ethnographic Atlas, in an attempt to identify specific genes involved in human adaptation to environmental stimuli as a result of migration. Specifically, researchers looked at the allele frequencies for four different genes typically associated with varying subsistence forms. These four included the APOE apolipoprotein E gene (lipid transport and regulation of cholesterol), LCT lactase gene (enzyme that decomposes lactose), CCR5 chemokine receptor gene (deletion mutation that decreases immunodeficiency virus propagation), and the ADH1B alcohol dehydrogenase gene (important enzyme for alcohol metabolism). The allele frequencies were then analyzed to distinguish any possible correlation to economic-culture types using a two-sided Spearman Test. Researchers also ran a similar test to analyze allele frequencies and pathogen load, however the majority of the findings were not statistically significant. The findings suggest that there is a definite relationship between the allele frequencies and type of economy of a population.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Previously Coded
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Previously Coded
ALFREDGenetic data on various allele frequencies
Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP)Genetic data from cell lines

Hypotheses (7)

HypothesisSupported
The frequency of the LCT*-13910T allele is higher in populations for which milking (dairy animal husbandry) is common (401).Supported
There is no correlation between the frequency of the LCT*-13910T allele and populations for which cattle breeding is common (401).Supported
The frequency of the APOE e4 allele is higher in populations for which hunting and gathering is typical (401).Supported
The frequency of the APOE e4 allele is lower in populations for which agriculture is typical (401).Supported
Population density will be positively associated with G6PD deficiency (402).Not Supported
The frequency of G6PD deficiency is positively correlated with pathogen load index (402).Supported
The frequency of G6PD deficiency is positively associated with the level of development of food storage technologies (403).Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: matthew.g.roth  abbe.mccarter  anj.droe